Can degenerative disc disease be helped by fusion really?

@sonygardi
They never told me any exact figures for a success rate or failure. I think I mentioned that before. I saw a surgeon on Tuesday about fusion and he told me he did 125 fusions in a year I don't know if he meant this year which would be almost like a fast food restaurant so he must have meant for a whole year. He wouldn't give me success rate he just told me it was a common procedure his bread and butter. Have you been able to get more exact information about success rates?

@annie1
If it is so common why does the intercept people provide staff to fight with your insurance company. I waited for a year of them fighting with my insurance company. I gave in and paid the $20k out of my own pocket. There is a reason insurance companies won’t pay for it and its because it does not work as advertised.

Jackiet,

I thought Annie and I were talking about the Intercept procedure. Annie can you please confirm.

Sorry for any confusion,

Seán

@annie1
Sorry Annie, I was referring to the Intercept procedure. I waiting for over a year for insurance to pay it. I ended up having to give up and $20k for it out of my pocket. When I confronted Dr. Mcadea of the Indiana spine group. He said oh well and ghosted me. I am now bed ridden. If I stand on a hardwood floor for 10 minutes, I am in so much pain that I have to sit down.

After numerous rhizomes, spinal lumbar injection. I am no better. I take Belbuca of the pain with so so outcomes.

I was at a spinal surgeon today and he recommended that I look at the Revive procedure. I guarantee I will be researching that for months before I do that. Please be careful, I thought I had nothing to worry about. I am with the best spine doctor. YaYa Da I trusted him only to come to the conclusion that doctors ate no different than any of business. They need to sell procedures to pay off their $1 million day medical school debt.

Research the doctors. Ask them what is the success rate. If the procedure fails then what next.

I wish you the best. If you have any other questions let me know.

God Bless,

Seán

@sonygardi if your belbuca is not keeping your pain in check maybe you need an increase in your dose? I use Buprenorphine Patch on my skin instead of Belbuca in the mouth and I required an increase within 2 weeks of starting it years ago. I’m on 20mcg/hour and it works well for me.

@jenatsky

Thank you for your recommendation . Unfortunately, I have increased to 900mcg 2 x a day. Insurance made me stop taking it. I started taking the patch as well to no success.

I am happy to hear it works for you.

Take care,

Seán